When My Daughter Moved Back Home

This summer, my daughter moved back home.

It wasn’t because she wanted to take a step backward — it was because she is trying to take a step forward in a world that makes that harder and harder to do. I’m sure she really didn’t want to move back home. Not that we don’t get along. We do. But I’m sure as a young woman, she would prefer to be in her own home.

Like so many young adults, she’s been doing everything right — working hard, saving where she can, living modestly — and still finding that the numbers just don’t add up. The cost of rent is sky-high, groceries feel like a luxury, and buying a home seems more out of reach than ever.

When I was her age, life wasn’t easy, but it was possible to get ahead. You could save for a down payment on an average income. You could dream about owning a home someday — and it actually felt within reach. Actually, it was within reach. My husband and I also had the advantage of living with my in-laws for almost 5 years. By the time we bought our own home, we had three babies and one on the way, and at that point, I was staying home full-time to look after our children. My husband was the only one bringing in an income.

Now, even the most responsible young people are facing a housing market that feels stacked against them, and they can’t even contemplate the possibility of one of them staying home with their kids. Today, you typically need at least two incomes to cover a monthly mortgage and household bills.

So, my daughter made the decision to come home for a while to save more and try to get closer to her goal of owning her own home, rather than continuing to pay rent.

She’s grown into her own routines, having lived on her own for two years, so I’m sure there are some days that may be difficult for her to adjust to. She probably grew accustomed to a quieter house, where she could cook when she felt like it, not have to share the laundry machines, and enjoy less noise when she wanted to sleep in on the weekends. We’ve had to relearn how to live together. I think it’s been easier for me than her because two of my sons are still at home doing the same thing she is doing - saving money to try to own their own place.

Living together

Sometimes we sit together to watch something on TV or have a few laughs over a story on social media

There are evenings when we sit and watch something together, just like we used to, or laugh about something we saw on social media, or something our dog did during the day. Then there are days when we both need our space, and that’s okay. It’s all part of this new chapter.

What I’ve realized is that moving back home doesn’t mean failure — for her or for anyone else. It’s a smart, brave decision in an economy that’s made independence feel almost impossible. Sometimes, saving money and regaining your footing means returning to a place that feels familiar and safe.

And for me, it’s been a reminder that “home” isn’t just a house — it’s a place of regrouping, love, and patience.

A home isn’t just a house

It’s a place to regroup with those who love you

If your grown child is moving back home, too, I hope you give yourself grace. There are adult children who need to move back in with their parents while they go through a divorce, and adult children who can’t move out to begin with as they try to save money for their future. There will be small challenges — and unexpected gifts. The laughter, the shared meals, the quiet understanding that this is what family does — we show up for each other.

My daughter’s saving now, planning carefully, and dreaming of the day she can make a place her own. And when that day comes, I’ll be cheering for her — but for now, I’m grateful to have her here.

Because sometimes, coming home is exactly what we all need.

At House of Six, I’ve always believed that saving money isn’t just about cutting costs — it’s about making intentional choices that support your future. For many young adults, that might mean pressing pause and living at home for a season to save, pay off debt, or build a stronger foundation. It’s not about comparison; it’s about being practical and doing what works for your life.

Sometimes the smartest step forward is simply choosing stability, peace, and a plan that gives you room to breathe.